Mikayla D.

That feeling, along with a childhood appreciation for math and science, motivated Mikayla to pursue a career in engineering.  

While in college, Mikayla heard representatives from Stanley Black & Decker speak in one of her classes. “I fell in love with the company’s culture,” she explains. “When I had the opportunity, I knew I had to apply.”

Engineering her career…and finding success 

Mikayla joined the Accelerator team at BLACK+DECKER. Her new teammates immediately made her feel at home. “Everyone is so welcoming to new employees and that made me feel comfortable from the start,” she shares. “My manager and teammates are always conscious of the time they give to each person. They’re willing to take the time to sit down with you and answer any questions you have. That’s so important when starting somewhere new.” 

As a reliability engineer, Mikayla tests new products to ensure they meet BLACK+DECKER’s quality control and safety standards. “I love the hands-on experience I get with new products and watching them develop over time until they reach our customers’ hands,” she says.

A career highlight 

One project in particular stands out as a career highlight to Mikayla — bev by BLACK+DECKER™. Bev by BLACK+DECKER™ is a countertop appliance that creates different craft cocktails at the push of a button. While this was an exciting project for Mikayla and her team to take on, it presented a unique set of challenges to overcome.  

“We didn’t have any similar products to compare the bev to,” Mikayla explains. She and her team had to get creative to solve this problem. “A lot of time went into testing the bev. We had to collaborate as a team and determine the best testing methods to get the most precision and accuracy for the product,” she says.  

“I’ve been so excited to watch it succeed,” Mikayla says. “I was able to achieve my Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification during the testing. So that stands out as my proudest moment at SBD so far.” 

Finding a positive, encouraging workplace culture 

One of Mikayla’s favorite aspects of working for Stanley Black & Decker is the workplace culture, particularly the welcoming and inclusive environment. “The diversity here amazes me every day. Working in an inclusive environment creates the most opportunities for success and gives everyone an equal chance to advance,” Mikayla says.  

Mikayla emphasizes the importance of networking and making connections, particularly with other women engineers, when building a career. “Don’t be afraid to reach out to women within the company,” Mikayla shares. “Connecting with other women has made me feel empowered and supported.”